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Daily industrial news and top headlines for plant and maintenance managers

SHANGHAI, Aug. 1 (Kyodo) — After China confirmed for the first time last week that it is pursuing an aircraft carrier program, residents in Changxing Island just north of Shanghai said authorities have secretly recruited 10,000 workers in an apparent move to build China's first domestic aircraft carrier.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and automakers ushered in what could be the largest cut in fuel consumption since the 1970s on Friday with a deal that would save drivers money at the pump and dramatically cut heat-trapping gases coming from tailpipes.
The agreement pledges to double overall fuel economy to 54.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Manufacturers had their weakest growth in two years in July, a sign that the economy could weaken this summer.
The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 50.9 percent in July from 55.

The M20 Tank Cleaning Machine from Lechler (Charles, IL) is designed to clean the largest tanks and handle difficult cleaning applications. Available in a two or four-nozzle model, the M20 provides high impact cleaning at low inlet pressures. It systematically sweeps the entire tank interior within a specified cycle time, based on the number of nozzles and inlet liquid pressure.

Ruhrpumpen (Tulsa, OK) has added the new centrifugal pump model CPP-L to its standard product line. The CPP-L is the low flow version of the CPP-21. The new pump complies with the ANSI B73.1 Standard and can be used to replace existing equipment without piping or base changes. The radial vane impellers for the CPP-L are designed to provide better hydraulic control and reduce the thrust load to prolong the bearing and seal’s life.

Tuff-Seal Interlocking Floor Tiles from Flooring Adventures, LLC (Chester, VA) feature a hidden interlock system for a seamless look that is water-tight and easy to install. The floor tiles are available in twelve colors and three patterns, and are slip and chemical-resistant. Designed for both new construction and renovations, the floor tiles are ideal for cosmetic cover up in moisture prone areas.

China's goal is to put half-a-million green cars on the road by 2015; but so far neither carmakers nor the government are anywhere near fulfilling that target.
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Imagine being able to monitor the energy usage of a single streetlamp, then using the collected data to predict when the lamp will burn out, allowing for repairs before anyone gets left in the dark.
Or, visualize being able to pull out an iPad on the commute to work to check if the coffeepot was left on or the security system was enabled.

The diverse forces driving our 21st century world of business have resulted in complexities far beyond those required for successfully operating a company during the 20th century. Stakeholder demands are more significant.

DETROIT (AP) — Auto parts supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. said Friday that its second-quarter profit nearly doubled on higher sales stemming from the continued increase in vehicle production.
The Detroit-based company also boosted its profit prediction for the full year, citing updated production schedules at its customers and continued recovery in consumer demand for full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — General Motors received nearly $17 million in job-training grants from the state of Tennessee nearly three years ago, tapping an unexpected source of cash at a time the automaker teetered on the brink of collapse, according to a published report.
Those grants made GM the biggest single recipient of cash for job training from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, according to a database obtained by The Tennessean.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods Inc. is moving ahead with a $48 million renovation at one of its plants in Council Bluffs.
The Springville, Ark.-based company says Friday it will convert its cooked meats plant into a dry sausage and pepperoni operation. The project includes new equipment and a 60,000 square foot addition.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — All North Carolina operations of a chicken processor bought out of bankruptcy earlier this year are closing, leaving more than 1,000 people jobless.
The closure of the Townsends plants in Siler City and Mocksville also ends contracts with about 200 chicken farmers in four counties, the News & Observer of Raleigh reported Saturday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Medical device maker Boston Scientific Corp. reported better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter Thursday and announced it would reduce its staff by between 5 and 6 percent to streamline operations.
The company announced a global restructuring program to eliminate unnecessary administrative positions and automate some production work.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — More than two years after unveiling a plan to build a fuel-efficient vehicle in Louisiana, startup automaker Next Autoworks Co. continues to play a long waiting game for federal financing with no end in sight.
Touted in 2009 as one of the biggest all-new industrial projects in years, what was first known as V-Vehicle Co.